On June 17, 2021, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) had awarded a $3 million grant to Merced Community College District in Merced, California.
“This is great news for our community. To build the workforce of the future, we need to invest in the students of today,” said Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16). “This grant will help modernize the way Merced College helps students learn the skills they need to land quality jobs in the San Joaquin Valley, keeping our economy growing and competitive.”
The funding is to renovate a Merced College campus building that houses workforce development and targeted skills training programs.
“The Economic Development Administration is pleased to support Merced College’s efforts to provide the local workforce with the skills needed to compete for in-demand jobs,” said Michele Chang, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy.
“This project will renovate the 53-year-old Career and Technical Education building by updating training equipment and technology, enlarging rooms and lab spaces, and addressing accessibility issues,” she added.
This EDA project, to be matched with $6.2 million in local funds, is expected to create more than 1000 jobs and generate $15.5 million in private investment.
“President Biden is committed to putting Americans back to work and to ensuring that our workforce is trained to fulfill the jobs of today and tomorrow,” said Raimondo. “This EDA investment at Merced College will prepare workforce-ready and employable graduates for in-demand industries.”
The mission of the EDA is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy.
An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.
Photo courtesy of Merced College.